Position Summary

The VISTA Coordinator provides comprehensive administrative, operational, and logistical support to the VISTA program. Operating under general supervision, the position ensures continuity of services for incarcerated students enrolled in SDSU degree programs. The incumbent serves as a key liaison among SDSU departments, Centinela State Prison staff, Global Campus, and community college partners. Responsibilities include managing enrollment processes, maintaining student records, coordinating academic support functions, and supporting outreach and communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Administrative Operations & Event Support: Manage P-card, travel arrangements, and purchasing. Coordinate logistics for faculty trainings, events, and meetings. Maintain program records and Google Drive/Calendar. Support communications across SDSU departments and Centinela State Prison.
• Enrollment Coordination & Records Maintenance: Collaborate with SDSU Global Campus, CDCR, and internal offices to ensure compliance with enrollment and security protocols. Maintain secure and confidential student records, tracking transcripts and enrollment documents.
• Instructional Material & Canvas Coordination: Submit Canvas requests, manage faculty access and CDCR clearance, collect syllabi, and coordinate the distribution of instructional materials in partnership with CDCR and faculty. Track the delivery of books and course content
• Application & Financial Aid Paperwork Collection: Prepare and distribute CSU application and FAFSA forms. Assist students in completing paperwork as needed. Collect and route all documents to the appropriate SDSU departments for processing. Track submissions and ensure timeliness.
• Student Degree Progress Support (Administrative): Monitor course schedules and maintain checklists to support students’ timely degree progress. Work with program staff to identify required General Education courses and coordinate course availability. Communicate progress reports from departments to students.

Why Join Us?

• Transformative Impact: Play a vital role in expanding access to higher education for justice-involved individuals and supporting student success in a uniquely meaningful educational setting.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Engage in a dynamic partnership that bridges academia, corrections, and community organizations to deliver high-impact programming.
• Equity-Driven Mission: Join a program grounded in educational equity, rehabilitation, and social justice, where your work contributes directly to improving lives through education.
• Professional Development: Gain experience in program coordination, academic advising, compliance, and inter-agency collaboration in a complex, impactful higher education environment.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits-eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice at SDSU advances inclusive, justice-oriented education through interdisciplinary teaching and programs. SDSU’s VISTA (Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia) is a BA degree completion program, currently offering degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies and Journalism to incarcerated students at Centinela State Prison. In partnership with Global Campus, the Institute supports equity, access, and academic success for incarcerated individuals, aligning with SDSU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For more information regarding the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, click here.

Education and Experience

Entry to this classification requires a fully functional knowledge of and skill in standard office procedures and practices, as well as an ability to understand and operate in a variety of organizational structures. Additionally, incumbents are expected to have a thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation and be able to clearly communicate orally and in writing. Some positions may require a knowledge of business mathematics beyond basic arithmetic. The ability to use and quickly learn new office support technology systems and software packages is also a prerequisite.

These qualifications would normally be obtained through a high school program, technical/vocational program, or their equivalents combined with several years of related office work experience.

Key Qualifications

• Expertise in using office software packages, technology, and systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication is vital to this role as is the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders in a unique, fast-paced, and sometimes changing environment dependent on strict rules and regulations.
• Candidate should be willing and able to work as a member of a collaborative team, to remain organized in their work, and be proficient in the Google suite.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 10 days of employment 

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,410 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,058 - $6,653 per month. 

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by July 16, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Sophia Faulk at srfaulk@sdsu.edu.